Hurricane Preparedness
Before the storm arrives (now)
Check the status of your flood insurance policy.
Decide where you will go during an evacuation.
Identify important papers and others items you do not
want to lose (like family photos).
If you "board up", insure you have the
items needed (wood, nails, screws and a good battery powered drill). If you hire a person
to do the work, confirm with them that they will do it this year.
Plan for several days after the hurricane, and stock
up on things like bottled water and non-perishable foods to use in case there is no
electric power.
If you have a propane gas tank, make sure it is
securely strapped down to prevent it from becoming a potential "bomb" in the
event it is washed away.
Make sure you have
the 2010 Town vehicle ID sticker
placed inside the drivers side of your windshield. If you do not have this displayed, you
will not be allowed immediate access across the bridge after the storm has passed.
When the Storm Nears (warning issued)
Board up windows and doors if appropriate. Note that
many homeowners do not do this at all. One factor in deciding what to do is the nearness
of your home to other structures that might be damaged, and thus create debris that could
break a window on your home. It is not so much the wind that causes damage to windows, as
it is the debris being tossed about. In any event, make sure your windows are securely
locked. Many "hurricane veterans" place a rolled-up towel around windows to
absorb some of the water that may enter in cracks. Others roll up area rugs near the
threshold of each door to do the same.
Keep in mind that wind will blow the rain vertically
along your home outside walls, and potentially water will enter under the eaves of your
home and pass into the attic. Roof vents (fans) are another location where water may
enter.
If you have dead bolts on your doors, lock them
before you evacuate the house. If you don't have dead bolt locks, install them now -- not
when a storm threatens. These help deter intruders at other times, as well as providing
protection during high winds.
Fill your bathtub with water in case Town water is
not readily available after the storm. Remember there will also be water inside your hot
water heater that may be used during an emergency.
Secure outside items like chairs, swings, grills,
toys and especially the 90-gallon garbage container so they are not blown away, creating
"missiles" of damage.
Many homeowners shut off water, propane gas and
electricity to their homes when they leave. When you shut water off, do so only at the
shut-off valve installed BETWEEN the Town Meter and your home. Do not tamper with the
Town's Meter.
Gas up your vehicles, pack flashlights, radios,
blankets, first aid items, medications you may need (or want), food, water, and anything
else you may want to take with you.
When the Evacuation Order is Issued
Make final checks, secure your home (all locked up
tight?), and leave in an orderly fashion. Under no circumstances elect to remain in your
home. Not only is this unwise from a personal safety standpoint, if you decide after
the bridge has been closed that you want off the island, guess what? You definitely do not
want to be crossing the bridge with hurricane winds blowing.
If you are going to the identified evacuation center,
go there immediately after departing the island. If you are going elsewhere, you may want
to let friends know where you can be located. Beware that you may pay a considerably
higher price than normal for a motel room nearby in the event of an evacuation.
The Police Department will block the bridge and not
allow anyone off or onto the island once the storm hits.
After the Storm
When you return to the bridge for re-entry, hopefully
traffic will be moving across. To determine when re-entry will be allowed, check the
Town's web page, or call 910-842-6488. Remember, when you want to cross the bridge you
need a vehicle ID sticker to identify you as a property owner. If you do not have such,
you will be asked to go to the evacuation site so that you can
receive an ID sticker. The key to prompt re-entry is the vehicle ID sticker. PUT IT ON
YOUR VEHICLE NOW, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO.
Be patient with Town officials in the event there are
delays in getting back onto the island. Your safety is primary, and no one other than
authorized personnel will be allowed back onto the island until we are assured it is safe.
Once you are allowed onto the island, go immediately
to your property ONLY. Check for damage. Beware of electric wires, nails, broken
glass, and other debris that might be hazardous. Check for spoiled food items, water
leaks, etc.
Notify your insurance agent of damage. Make temporary
repairs as required to secure and make your property safe from further damage. Beware of
people coming to you with "good deals" to make needed repairs. If you want, you
may check with Town Hall to certify the credibility of contractors.
How to Get Information During the Storm
A Commissioner and/or another Town
Representative will be located at the Brunswick County Emergency Operations
Center during a storm that requires an island evacuation. That location is
the only reliable (electric power) place available, and there are several
phone lines available. Depending on circumstances, other Town officials,
elected and otherwise, will re-locate to the Emergency Operations Center located on the
mainland. There will be multiple telephone lines routed to that location. Phone
numbers will be posted on the Town's web page well before they are needed. Numbers may
change; that's why we're not posting them earlier.
Use common sense when hearing reports of massive damage
from your local media outside of Southeastern North Carolina. Ask yourself "Is such
reasonable, could that have really happened given the circumstances?".
Do not send email to the Town and expect an immediate
reply. We will have little time to answer large amounts of email along with all the other
things going on. Instead, if the telephone lines remain open, we will attempt to generally
answer (on the web page) as many potential questions as possible as we believe they may
arise. Keep in mind that our goal is to communicate to all property owners what's going
on.
The key to all of this is to be patient, understanding,
and helpful. Thanks in advance.
Page Top
|